Ballmer Exit May Unlock Value

Wall Street is cheering the prospect of a new face and possibly a more shareholder-friendly CEO at Microsoft.

Wall Street is cheering the coming departure of Steve Ballmer, who probably was the most disliked big-tech CEO in the investment community.

Microsoft shares (ticker: MSFT) are up 7%, or $2.26, to $34.65 in morning trading as investors react to the surprising news. Many on the Street had expected the 57-year-old Ballmer to stay on the job for at least a few more years—if only to try to go out on a high note.